August 28, 2026

A Winning Connection: VTCRC Happy Hour Brings Tenants Together

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At the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC), the companies and people who call the research park home are doing some pretty remarkable things. But sometimes, it takes stepping outside the office to discover what’s happening just a few doors away. 

That was part of the idea behind the August VTCRC Happy Hour, which brought tenants and community members together for an evening of conversation, live music, and new connections. 

For Charlie Ver Beek, it was his first VTCRC event. A Virginia Tech nanoscience graduate and Cell Materials Engineer, Charlie works on next-generation battery materials at Fermi Energy, a VTCRC tenant developing advanced cathode technologies for high-energy batteries. 

From First-Time Attendee to Raffle Winner 

Although Charlie was already part of the VTCRC community through his work at Fermi Energy, the Happy Hour was his first VTCRC event. He saw it as a chance to “wind down after work, meet some new peers and learn about what else is going on in the VTCRC community.” 

Held August 13, the evening brought together tenants, entrepreneurs, researchers, industry professionals and community partners for networking and conversation. 

For Charlie, those community connections were what made the evening worthwhile. 

“It was both fun and productive to have a little change of scenery and chat with fellow innovators,” he said. “There’s some cool stuff going on around here that I didn’t know about before I just up and went.” 

Charlie also walked away as the winner of a raffle for dinner for two at The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. 

The prize wasn’t the only thing that made his first VTCRC event memorable. 

“Good food, good company, excellent music, open bar. What more could you ask for?” he said. “If I were to really pick a standout, the live band was a super cool surprise.” 

Community Connections, On and Off the Stage 

The entertainment had its own connection to the research park. Live music was provided by Justin Craig, who has instructed guitar students and ensembles at Renaissance Music Academy (RMA), another VTCRC tenant. 

RMA, the oldest and largest nonprofit community music school in Southwest Virginia, has called the CRC home since 2017. 

From Fermi Energy to Renaissance Music Academy, the Happy Hour highlighted just a small part of the diverse companies, organizations and people that make up the research park — while creating another opportunity for tenants to connect and support one another. 

Find Your Next Connection at VTCRC 

Throughout the year, VTCRC offers social events, educational programs, interest clubs, and community celebrations that bring the research park community together. 

Whether it’s meeting someone from a neighboring company, discovering a new resource or simply connecting outside the workday, getting involved can help make the CRC more than just a place to work. 

Explore the VTCRC events calendar, subscribe to our newsletter, and follow VTCRC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to learn about opportunities to experience the VTCRC community for yourself.